Recycling in Sterling Heights, MI

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Household hazardous waste collection (opens in new tab) · Macomb County Health Department
  • The program serves Macomb County residents disposing of household hazardous waste from their homes; business waste is not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted household products include oil-based paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers and other electronic devices, and latex paint, are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Latex paint must be dried out or solidified and then set out with regular curbside refuse. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Automotive/marine batteries go back to a battery retailer; for household batteries contact your municipality or hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Health Department cannot accept computers or other electronic devices (e-waste). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The county may limit quantities accepted at HHW collections. Checked October 26, 2026.
• We're on a Roll! (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • Bulk items are collected on the regular collection day at no additional cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No-charge bulk items include appliances (refrigerator and freezer doors removed), furniture and mattresses (bagged if soiled or infested). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Large cardboard boxes broken down into bundles of four feet or shorter are no-charge bulk items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is a five-item limit for bulk pickup each week. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A special pickup from Priority Waste costs $137.50 to $275 depending on size. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Refuse disposal tips for odds and ends (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed; a separate truck picks up white goods on your collection day for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • Curbside recycling is offered to all single-family homes through Priority Waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Acceptable & Unacceptable Items (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • Corrugated cardboard is accepted; fold or cut it into 2 by 3 foot pieces. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Batteries and electronics are not accepted in recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• DPW Spring Clean-Up Days (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • The annual Household Hazardous Waste Event is held at the DPW, 7200 18 Mile Road. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The HHW event is for residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste List of Acceptable & Unacceptable Items (opens in new tab) · City of Sterling Heights Department of Public Works
  • Accepted items include alkaline, automotive, lead acid and Ni-Cd batteries and latex paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Paint and paint products are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Air conditioning units, appliances, electronics and Freon are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EGLE: Electronic Waste Takeback Program (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • Manufacturers must run a convenient takeback program so consumers can return covered devices to the manufacturer or its representative at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered electronic devices include desktop and laptop computers, monitors, tablets, televisions and printers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EGLE FAQ: Michigan electronics takeback program (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • EGLE says consumers do not pay a fee to recycle a computer or television covered under the program; it is meant to be a free takeback system paid for by manufacturers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All manufacturers offer a free takeback program, and each has a no-cost option for televisions too large to mail back. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Manufacturers' no-cost return options are mainly mail-back programs, linked from the manufacturers' websites and their registration documents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE keeps a list of registered manufacturers with links to each manufacturer's page explaining where covered equipment can be recycled. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer manufacturers only have to take back their own brands; television manufacturers must take back any brand of television. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE treats a tablet as a computer in most cases. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A consumer is a person who used the computer or television mainly for personal or small business purposes in Michigan. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A small business under the law has 10 or fewer employees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A collector that is not directly part of a manufacturer's takeback program may charge a reasonable fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collectors may charge to take electronics the law does not cover, such as keyboards, mice, speakers, cables, cords and wires. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MCL 324.17309 Computer takeback program (opens in new tab) · Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws)
  • MCL 324.17309: since April 1, 2010, a consumer does not pay a separate fee when returning a covered computer to its manufacturer or the manufacturer's designee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collection methods that can meet the convenience requirement include mail or shipping, a staffed permanent local collection site, periodic local collection events, or drop-off at a retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A manufacturer's computer takeback program does not have to accept more than 7 covered computers from one consumer on one day. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MCL 324.17311 Video display device takeback program (opens in new tab) · Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws)
  • A manufacturer's TV takeback program does not have to accept more than 7 covered video display devices from one consumer on one day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MCL 324.17311: a consumer does not pay a separate fee when returning a covered TV through any TV manufacturer's takeback program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MCL 324.17301 Electronics: definitions (opens in new tab) · Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws)
  • A "video display device" is a device with a screen of 4 inches or larger and a tuner that can receive and display TV or video programming; it includes CRT, plasma, LCD, LED and projection TVs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A "computer" under Part 173 is a desktop or laptop computer, a computer monitor, or (since April 1, 2011) a printer; PDAs and mobile phones are not included. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer peripherals such as mice and detachable or wireless keyboards are not covered computers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MCL 324.17101 Battery disposal: definitions (opens in new tab) · Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws)
  • A "lead acid battery" under Part 171 is a storage battery used to start an engine or as the main power source for a vehicle. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MCL 324.17103 Retailer of lead acid batteries; duties (opens in new tab) · Michigan Legislature (Michigan Compiled Laws)
  • Retailers of lead acid batteries must accept used ones from customers, in a quantity at least equal to the number of new batteries they sell. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The required store notice says retailers must accept used lead acid batteries when you buy a lead acid battery or within 30 calendar days of the purchase. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EGLE: Safe battery disposal (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • EGLE: lead acid batteries (car and boat batteries) may not go in Michigan landfills, and any business that sells them must collect them for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE tells residents to take an old lead acid battery back to where they bought the new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EGLE: Where can I take my household hazardous waste? (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • EGLE: Michigan's Battery Disposal law requires retailers and auto repair shops that sell batteries to offer customers recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EGLE: Landfill Prohibited Materials and Special Wastes (guidance, rev. 3/2021) (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • If the seller isn't an option and the battery is from your own household equipment, EGLE points residents to its household hazardous waste page for recycling options. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.